Valentine's Day is like a special occasion for you and your lover to go out for dinner and celebrate your love (even though their are 364 other days a year you could do it), but somehow, on Valentine's Day, it just feels more special.

Don't skip the dinnner! There really is something about a Valentine's Day dinner that makes you feel more connected to your lover. It is probably because it is a unique dinner compared to all the other routine dinners you have throughout the year, and unique causes you to be present and aware - which helps you connect with your lover better.

By the way, if you are looking for meat-filled ideas for your Valentine's Day, then this is not the article for you! I am focusing on vegan Valentine's Day dinner ideas since I am a vegan and this is about what I plan to cook my husband this year. (Don't let the word vegan scare you away! There is plenty yummy things you can make in a vegan diet.)

Update: I made this for Valentine's Day 2013 and it went over VERY WELL. The strawberry soup is amazing, the noodles are original and good, and the cupcakes are to die for! I added a non-vegan version of the buttercream; however, I feel that the appetizer and main meal is good for all diets because it keeps your energy high and the mood romantic.

So, with that said, following are some vegan Valentine's Day dinner ideas for you and your loved one this year.

Easy Valentine's Day Dinner Idea

Go out and get served this Valentine's Day!

Make a reservation and go out. What could be easier than that?

The trick is to book ahead (so that you don't end up at a fast food joint), and put some thought into the restaurant you are going to go to eat at.

This is Valentine's Day, so try and make a reservation at a place that has some meaning for you and your partner - maybe the restaurant where you first met or went on a date...just as long as it is special to you as a couple.

When you go to a place that means something to you, you bring back memories from the past. Those memories help strengthen your bond in the present moment. You laugh, reminisce, and share joy - all things that couples with a strong bond do.

Make Valentine's Day Dinner

Stay in and get sexy this Valentine's Day!

There are many benefits to making your own Valentine's Day dinner. One of them is being able to get 'romantic' without having to travel home first. Heck, you don't even have to finish your food if you don't want to, and clothing is always optional at the 'home' restaurant.

There are other benefits though as well:

You know what is going into your food. (Maybe it's just me but this is a big reason!)

You can plan your partners favorite meal and surprise him or her.

Your partner will feel loved and cherished that you took the time to make a meal.

You can drink a bottle of wine for the price of two glasses at a restaurant. (Again, this may just be my personal reason!)

No matter what you make for Valentine's Day dinner, the idea is to have either:

red dishes

aphrodisiac dishes

heart shaped dishes

All are symbolic of love and Valentine's Day.

Don't do the same old dishes for dinner; instead, make Valentine's Day dinner stand out! This is a day to be unique, creative and fun with your dishes.

Soup? Ever Thought About Strawberry Soup?

Aphrodisiac Foods: Make Valentine's Day Dinner Extra Sexy!

For the main course in your Valentine's Day dinner why not try an aphrodisiac based dish? There are so many dishes you can make out of the following foods that the hardest part of cooking will be choosing which ingredients to use and what kind of dish to make!

Ginger - A powerful aphrodisiac known to increase sexual desire, due in part to its ability to increase circulation.

Chile Peppers - This spicy food increases circulation and also helps to stimulate endorphins (those hormones that make you feel good), and we all know that sexual energy increases when we feel really good towards our partner!

Dark Chocolate - Not only is this a source of mono-saturated fat (the good kind), but it is also a trigger for endorphins. No wonder chocolate covered strawberries have long been used as a romantic symbol.

Sesame Seeds - These tiny seeds improve circulation due to the amino acid called L-arginine, which groups them into the aphrodisiac food group.

Easy Sesame and Ginger Noodles

So, sticking with the aphrodisiac foods, this recipe has ginger, sesame seeds, and chile sauce to help with the romantic atmosphere this Valentine's Day dinner.

The Sauce

6 cloves garlic (another known aphrodisiac)

6 Tablespoons Sugar

6 Tablespoons safflower oil

6 Tablespoons rice vinegar

6 Tablespoons soy sauce

2 Tablespoons sesame oil

2 Tablespoons chili sauce

6 Green onions, sliced

1 teaspoon (I would add more) of toasted sesame seeds

Linguine noodles to serve two

Directions

Cook pasta to your liking.

In a saucepan put garlic, sugar, vinegar, sesame oil, safflower oil, soy sauce and chili sauce and bring to a boil. Stir constantly until the mixture blends together. Pour mixture over pasta and garnish with sesame seeds and onions. Yummy!

Vegan Red Velvet Cupcakes

I personally avoid red velvet cupcakes (unless I make them) because most people use food coloring. If you want to give your lover a red sweet this this Valentine's Day without the additives, then try this vegan version of red velvet cupcakes. Found velvet cupcakes recipe here.

Don't worry about your cupcakes tasting like beets, they won't. Beets give the color, but they also add to the sweetness of the cupcake. You will be amazed at how good beets really are in a cupcake!

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line muffin tins.2. Combine all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.3. Stir in the wet. You can beat on a low speed with a mixer if you'd like - but not required. Fold in by hand the strawberries and beets.4. Spoon batter into cupcake tins.5. Bake at 350 degrees for about 18-20 minutes.6. Allow cupcakes to cool at least and hour before frosting.

Note: If you are not a vegan, then just substitute the vegan butter with non-vegan butter and vegan sugar with whatever sugar you want. TRUST ME, these cupcakes are worth making with the ingredients listed. The strawberry and beet combination is amazing, healthy, and will give you energy to continue on with your night!

Vegan Frosting: Vanilla Buttercream - One Example You May Like On Your Cupcakes

Buttercream Frosting: NOT Vegan

In the end, I hope I kick-started your idea for Valentine's Day dinner this year. If you don't have time to make dinner, then be sure to go out as this is a fun excuse to celebrate your love together. Add your favorite wine or champagne into the mixture and you have a recipe for a romantic evening for two.

Comments

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sending

Adrienne Janet Farricelli

5 years agofrom USA

Yum, those are some healthy options! As I was starting to read I worried about my diet, I was like "oh, no now I 'll see all this yummy food and get cravings" then I read through the cupcake recipe and saw it has whole wheat and was like yay! will have to give it a try.

AUTHOR

Kari

6 years agofrom Alberta, Canada

Hawaii, thanks for the kind words. I wish you an amazing 2013 full of love and happiness!

Hawaiian Odysseus

6 years agofrom Southeast Washington state

I like the idea of using beets in a cupcakes recipe. Will wholeheartedly share this wonderful idea with my wife. Thank you for writing this beautiful hub. After re-reading your profile, I can truly understand why the joy you have in yourself and your present relationship so easily translates into the spirit of your talented writing. Thanks for being a positive influence in our HubPages community this past year. May you and yours have a blessed 2013!

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